Iran on Thursday dramatically underscored its tightened grip over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz by releasing footage of its commandos storming a large cargo vessel, following the collapse of peace talks that Washington had hoped would reopen the crucial global shipping route.
State television aired overnight video showing masked Iranian soldiers arriving in a speedboat and boarding the vessel MSC Francesca. The commandos were seen climbing a rope ladder, entering through a hull access point, and securing the ship while brandishing rifles.
The footage, presented with an action-style soundtrack, also showed another vessel, Epaminondas, which Tehran said was seized on Wednesday for allegedly attempting to transit the strait without authorisation.
The developments come amid escalating confrontation between Iran and the United States, as both sides assert competing claims over control of the waterway. Washington said it had boarded another tanker, identified as Majestic—believed to be a supertanker also known as Phonix—in the Indian Ocean. The vessel was reportedly carrying around two million barrels of crude oil.
Since the outbreak of conflict involving the United States and Israel in February, Iran has effectively restricted access to the Strait of Hormuz, allowing passage primarily to vessels linked to what it describes as “friendly” nations. With last-ditch peace negotiations collapsing earlier this week, Tehran now appears to have consolidated its control over the vital maritime corridor.
A senior Iranian source indicated that Tehran may consider attending renewed talks in Pakistan, but only if the US lifts its naval blockade and releases seized Iranian vessels—conditions that Washington has yet to accept.
‘First revenue’ from Hormuz toll deposited
Iranian authorities signalled a further shift in policy by confirming that revenue collection from vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz has begun. Deputy Parliament Speaker Hamidreza Haji Babaei said the first proceeds from tolls imposed on ships had been deposited into the country’s central bank.
According to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, no detailed breakdown was provided regarding how the tolls were collected or which entities had made the payments. Prior to the current ceasefire, Tehran had suggested limiting passage to selected countries and floated the idea of charging transit fees, though specifics had remained unclear.
‘Iranian clock is longer’
Analysts suggest that the trajectory of the conflict may hinge on endurance rather than immediate military outcomes. David Satterfield, a former US diplomat, said the key question is “whose clock runs out first.”
“My assessment is the Iranian clock is longer,” he said in an interview, arguing that Iran has a greater capacity to withstand economic pressure than the United States under President Donald Trump. He warned that Washington risks falling into an “escalation trap,” noting that Iran retains the ability to inflict significant damage, particularly targeting Gulf states, in response to further US military action.
Trump claims ‘total control’ of strait
In a series of posts on social media, President Trump claimed that the United States had “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that no vessel could pass without US approval. He also alleged internal divisions within Iran’s leadership, describing “chaotic” infighting between hardliners and moderates.
Shortly before making those claims, Trump said he had ordered the US Navy to open fire on any Iranian vessels laying mines in the waterway, further raising the stakes in an already volatile standoff.
Israeli strikes raise tensions in Lebanon
Meanwhile, tensions remain high in southern Lebanon ahead of parallel ceasefire discussions involving Israel and the Iran-backed group Hezbollah.
The Israeli military said it had carried out a strike targeting an individual operating at a Hezbollah launch site in Sejoud. Israeli Defence Forces spokesperson Avichay Adraee also issued warnings to residents in border villages, citing ongoing militant activity.
Lebanon’s state-run media reported additional incidents, including a bombing in Khiam and an explosion in Bint Jbeil. However, these claims have not been independently verified, and Israeli authorities have not publicly commented on the reports.
As diplomatic channels remain strained and military posturing intensifies, the Strait of Hormuz—through which a significant portion of the world’s energy supply flows—continues to sit at the centre of a deepening geopolitical crisis.
